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A favorite of the tea party and fiscal conservatives, Texas Gov. Rick Perry may have the most compelling case for the GOP nomination, given that the economy and jobs will continue to be the most central issues leading up to Election Day 2012.

In two out of the last four years, Texas, under Perry’s executive leadership, has created more jobs than the other 49 states combined. Unfortunately for Perry, if he wants to make a credible run at the GOP nomination, he will need to be more of a refined candidate, which means firing less from the hip and staying on message.

The country may not be ready for another cowboy president, but Rick Perry could certainly change that.

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